Press



H. H. GILSON.

vPRESS. APPLICATION FILED AUG.2, 1919.

Patented Feb. 28, 1922.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY R. GILSON, 0F NEW ROHELLE, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR 'IO REVERE RUBBER COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF RHODE ISLAND.

rnnss.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 28, 1922.

Application ined August a, 1919. serial No. 314,917.

To all wh-om t may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY R. GrLsoN, a' citizen of the United States', residing at New Rochelle, in the county of Westchester and State oi New York, have invented certa-in new and useful Improvements in Presses, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to presses, and is of particular utility when embodied in presses for vulcanizing such articles as rubber heels for shoes, although I contemplate the use of my improvements in any field for which they are adapted by their nature.

An object of primary importance in my invention is the organization of the instrumentalities ordinarily employed in a press of this character to permit a novel method of operation by which the ram of the press can be caused to release automatically at a predetermined time after the beginning of the vulcanization operation, my invention including the provision of mechanism which can be set to operate automatically after the lapse of the desired period.

Another important object of my invention is the construction and arrangement of this mechanism in such a manner that it can be applied inexpensively to existing presses by the addition of devices which can be bought on the market in great part, so as to make it possible to standardize the structure and permit replacements at a minimum cost.

Among other objects is the arrangement of the several devices in accessibley position for inspection, lremoval and replacement., without the disturbance of parts other than those requiring attention, special attention being directed also to the provision for smoothness of operation, and rapidity in the execution ofthe several movements, so far as consistent with proper treatment of the work. i

The various features of my invention will be illustrated and described fully in the accompanying drawings` and specification and pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a view in front elevation and partly m section of apparatus in the 00nplate `16 struction of which my invention has been embodied, the sameV being mounted upon a plate attached to a press of which enough is shown to indicate -the mode of attachment;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1.

In the embodiment of my invention selected for illustration and description to enable readyr and complete understanding of my improvements, the part designated by the numeral 1 is the head of a press which may be a fluid-pressure press` of ordinary construction, and 2 is the base'thereof, while 3 designates the platen of the plunger, between which and the head 1 can be inserted any suitable Work, such as a vuloanizing mold for treatment of heels for shoes; 4 designates the main Huid-pressure cylinder of the press and 5 -a conduit running to a` main controlling valve 6, these parts being also of ordinary commercial construction, preferably, purchasable on the market in substantially the form illustrated, the valve 6 being', inthe instance illustrated, a twoway valve to control the admission and release of water or other operating fluid under pressure admitted through the inlet pipe 7, whichhas a stop valve 8, an outlet pipe 9 being alsoprovided, and the valve stem being designated by the numeral 10, with an extension at 11, which, in accordance with my invention, `is connected, preferably removably. as by -apin 12, with the member 13 by which timing operations are carried into eii'ect causing the ram 3 of the press to release at a predetermined time after the beginning of vulcanizatipn, in. accordance with myl invention.

Any suitable means may be 'provided to efect this automatic operation of the main valve and through it of the press, and as one convenient form of operating means for this purpose I have shown at 14 a subsidiary Huid-pressure cylinder bolted at 15 upon a fastened 'by bolts 17 to the head land base 2 of the press and serving also to carry the main two-way "valve 6` and the rod 13 which Serves as a piston rod, and

for the purpose of automatically l has a piston 18 seated thereon against a shoulder 19 where it is held by lock nuts 191', screwed upon the rod.

The cylinderI 14 is closed by heads 2Q and 21, of which the former is provided wlth a stuffing boX 22 for the rod 13, and an extension 23 of said rod has a bearing 24 in the cylinder head 21, the latter being pierced preferably as at 25 to place the chamber 26 in communication with the outerair.

The extension 23 has a connecti on at 27 with a hand lever 28 mounted pivotally at 29 upon the plate 16, the lever serving as actuating means by which the operator can force the rod 13 toward the left in order to set t-he valve member 1() in position, to admit fluid under pressure as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 1,'from the pipe 7 through the valve 6 to the pipe 5 and thence to the ram, in order to raise the ram into position to exertA pressure upon the Work between platen 3 and the head 1 during the vulcanizing operation.

In accordance with an important object of my invention, I provide means to maintain the parts in the position illustrated, during the period predetermined for treatment of the work, and means which may be set to act automatically for release of pressure at the expiration of such period, and any-holding means and releasing means may be adopted suitable for this purpose.

As one convenient means to actuate the piston rod 13 in reverse direction, operating the main valve member 10 to close the inlet 7 and permit drainage. of the ram through pipel 5, valve 6 and outlet 9, I prefer to utilize air at high pressure in the left-hand chamber 30 of the cylinder 14, to which it may be introduced advantageously by a port 31 having an inlet pipe 32 controlled by a small air cock 33 in an air feed pipe 34, this air cock having a valve 35 operated by a lever 36. y

To actuate the lever 36 I have shown an operatin rod 37 mounted in vbearings 38, the rod aving a collar 39 provided with' a pin 40, to be engaged operatively with-the lever 36. The rod 37 has also a collar 41, between which and the bearing'38, a coil spring 42 is mounted upon the rod, tending normally to position the rod 37 and valve lever 36 in their right-hand, dotted line position, to open the air cock 33 and admit air under high pressure to the chamber 30.

When the piston 18 is forced manually over into its dotted line position, carrying with it the piston rod 13 and valve member 10 the inlet pipe 7 of valve 6 is closed and the outlet pi e 9 is opened to bleed the chamber 4 and re ease the work upon platen 3. y

Any suitable meansrmay be provided to hold the operating rod 37 in its full line position during the predetermined period of treatment of the work, against the action of the spring 42, and as one convenient device for this purpose, I have shown a detent lever 43 mounted pivotally upon theplate 16 at 44, and having a medial aperture 45 to recelve a stud 46 upon t-he piston rod 13, the aperture 45 preferably taking the form of a slightly elongated slot. At 47 I have shown a pawl carried by a rocker 48, mounted pivotally at 49 upon the foot of the detent y lever 43, the rocker being provided also with an operating latch 50, by which the rocker may be tilted to lift the pawl 47, and release the operating rod 37, such tilting movement serving to remove the pawl from its position illustrated in Fig. 1 where it is engaged with the shoulder 5l of a notch in the upper surface of the operating rod 37.

Any suitable device may be provided to effect this tilting of the latch and release of the pawl, and as one convenient form of device for this purpose I have shown at 52 a clock or interval timer secured by screws 53 upon a shelf 54 screwed to the plate 16, this timing mechanism being of such wellknown construction as not to require description in detail, as suoliy mechanisms can be purchased readily, and in the instance illustrated the sole function of the timing mechanism is to raise a stud 55 from its lower position shown in Fig. 1 to its upper position, thereby engaging and raising the latch 50 to tilt the rocker 48, lift the detent pawl 47 and release the rod 37. The clock 52 has a winding handle 56 and a setting stem 57, by means of which the clock may be set to release the latch 50 by operating the button 5 5 at the expiration of any given lapse of tlme.

Upon release of the operating rod 37 by the above described tilting of the latch 50, rocker 48 and pawl 47, with resultant shifting toward the right of the rod 37 andlever 36, under the action of spring 42, to ppen valve 33, high pressure air is admitted to chamber 30, and forces the piston 18 to the right and with it the piston rod 13 and valve member 10, opening the outlet from valve 6 to pipe 9, to release the platen 3, as already described, the parts occupying their dotted line positions respectively.

It is to be noted that the chamber 30 is filled with high pressure air as the .result of the above operation, eXertin resistance to a movement of Iever 28 when it is desired to reset the above instrumentalities in their full line position, andl prefer to provide suitable means to relieve this pressure, for which purposel any suitable arrangement may be adopted. As one convenient mechanism therefor, I have shownat 58 an elongated valve stem in an axial channel 59 of the piston rod extension 23, this stem having at 60 a collar acting as a valve to close the adjacent end of the channel 59, which communicates with a transverse slot considerable l .of the operator 61 through which the air pass into the channel 59 is unseated, as indicated in Fig. 58 being reduced in diameter or a suitable portion of its length between the valve 60 and the,opposite end of the stem to permit the passage of the escaping air, and the air thus released may escape through ports 62 into the chamber 26 and thence through the ports 25 into the open air.

This release of the valve 6() I haveshown as effected by action of the stud 27 upon the handle 28 which operates the piston rod extension 23, and the hole 63 through which the stud 27 passes is preferably large enough to permit a slight leftward movement of the stud in the hole, suiiicient to shift the stem 58 slightly toward the left tol valve 60 and bleed the chamber-3 0 to an extent which reduces the pressure and permits the handle 28 to be thrown over with ease, carrying with it'the piston rod 13 to set the member 10 of valve 6 and at the same time acting through the stud 46, llever 43 and pawl 47, which has meantime dropped into its solid line position of operative engagement with the shoulder 51,. to force the rod 37 full line position, closing in chamber 30 may when the valve 60 1, the stem nto lts the valve 33, after which the pressure 1n chambers 30 and 26 becomes equalized, and the parts are established for the perlod of the viilcanizing operation.'

In setting the timing mechanism the o Jerator having first attended to the win ing up of the mechanism by means of the winding handle 56, next Sets the indicator 1n the desired position by means of the stem 57 and then starts the timing mechanism by depressing the button 55. He then immediately throws over handle 28 to the position shown in full lines in Fig. 1. sets the indicator and throws over the handle 28 without first depressing the button 55, the upturned end of the finger 64 will ride over the top of the button (without depressing it) thereby disengaging pawl 47 and allowing the operating rod 37 to return to the position shown indotted lines in Fig. 1. This operates as has already been de'- scribed to return the handle 28 to its dotted position Fig. 1 thereby calling the omission to his attention.

It is to'be understood that while the valve is shown open, thisis not` the normal condition, for when the actuating handle 28, by its own weight, drops away 'from the stem 58,l I prefer to arrange for a closing movement of the valve 60, and this may be eii'ected conveniently by provision of a small coil spring 65, so. that when the timing period has elapsed, and' high pressure air isv again admitted to chamber '30 its force 'will not be abated by escape through the bore 59, the latter being eectually closed by the unseat the p.

In case the operator` valve 60 until the handle 28 is once more operated manually toward the left.

The handle 28 is then swung over into its full line position. This allows high pressure Huid to pass through the conduit 7, valve 6, and pipe 5 to the cylinder 4, raising the ram and platen of the press as far as desired. At the same time the piston 18 moves over into the full line position, acting by means of the pin 46 on piston rod 13 to swing `the lever 43 and rocker 48 with its pawl 47, carrying with it the operating rod 37, compressing spring 42, and bringing the latch 50 directly over the depressed stud 55. The lever 36 is also swung over by the action of pin 40 on rod 37, to close the valve 33, so that there is no pressure'in the chamber 30. At the expiration of the predetermined period of time, the clock 52 raises the button 55 and latch 50,-clearing the pawl 47 from the shoulder 51, and the spring 42 forces the rod 37 towardthe right', swinging over the lever fluid from the ram chamber 4 through pipes 5 and 9, releasing the pressure in the press, so that platen 3 is automatically lowered by its own weight to relieve the pressure and release the work which has been vulcanized for the desired period, this releasing sequence of operations being effected automatically without the need for attention by the operator, i in the first place, after which his duty is simply to remove the work when released, replace it with other work, and move the handle 28 from the dotted line position to the full line position. A

Having illustrated and described my invention thus fully and suitable means for carrying the same into effect, I wish it to be understood that I do not limit myself to the specific materials and structure selected for 110 said main va v e, a subsidiary' controlling who has merely to set the clock ressure cylinder to operate valve for said subsidiary cylinder, and operating means for said subsidiary valve, said operating means including an operating member, a 'detent to hold said operating member' inoperative during the period pre` lease of said fluid, of a timing attachment comprising a subsidiary valve-actuating cylinder, a subsidiary operating valvefor said tachment for said main valve,

subsidiary cylinder, an operating rod for said subsidiary valve, and timing mechanism to regulate the action of said operating rod.

3. rlhe combination with a press having a main fluid-pressure cylinder and a main controlling valve therefor, of an operating attachment for said main valve, comprising a subsidiary cylinder, a subsidiary operating valve therefor. and operating means for said subsidiary valve, including timing mechaniem.l

il. The combination with a press having` a main fluid-pressure cylinder and a main controlling valve therefor, of an operating attachment for said main valve, comprising a subsidiary cylinder, a subsidiary operating valve therefor, yand operating means forsaid subsidiary valve, including an operating member having actuated means, a detent and a timing device to release said detent. 5. The combination with a press having a main fluid-pressure cylinder and a main controlling valve therefor, of an operating attachment for said main valve, comprisingr a subsidiary cylinder, a subsidiary operating valve therefor, and operating means for vsaid subsidiary valve, including an operating member having actuatingv means, ,a detent and a clock to release said detent. y

6. The combination With a press having a main fluid-pressure cylinder anda maincontrolling valve therefor, of an operating attachment for said main valve, comprising a subsidiary cylinder, a subsidiary operating valve therefor, and operating means for said subsidiary valve, including a spring-actuated operating rod, .a detent thereforfand a clock to release said detent.

7. The combination with a press having a main fluid-pressure cylinder and a main controlling valve therefor, of an operating .at-

comprising a subsidiary cylinder, a subsidiary operating valve therefor, and operating means for said subsidiary valve, including a spring actuated operating rod, a swinging detent leverhaving a pawl to be engaged Withsaid rod to hold the same .against operation by said spring at times, a latch -to operate said pawl, and a clock provided .with means to actuate said latch to trip said pawl, releasing said rodto be actuated by said spring for the operation of said subsidiary valve, to admit fluid pressure to said subsidiary cylinder and actuate said main valve to release pressure in said main cylinder.

8. The combination with a press having a main fluid-pressure cylinder and a main con trolling valve therefor, of an operating attachment tor said main valve comprising a subsidiary fluid-pressure cylinder having a vpiston and piston rod connected operativelyV an operating valve for with said main valve, said subsidiary cylinder and an operating rod for said operating valve, a detent connecting said rods to permit said piston rod to position said operating rod, and a timing device to disconnect said detent at times.

. 9. The combination With a press having a main cylinder and main valve, of a subsidiary cylinder having a piston and piston rod connected operatively With said main valve, and channelled to pass fluid .at times, said piston haviiigalso a valve to regulate passage ofv fluid therethrough, and 4said subsidiary cylinder havinga chamber in communication With a sourceof fluid under pressure, a valve to control the admission of fluid to said chamber to actuate said piston, its

rod and the main valve, in one direction, and means to operate said piston-valve to relieve pressure in said chamber and permit operation of said piston, its rod and said main valve, in reverse direction.

10..The combination` with a press having a main cylinderand vmain valve, of a subsidiary cylinder having a piston and piston-rod connected operatively with said main valve, and channelled to pass fluid at times, said pist0n having also a valve to regulate passage of fluid therethrough, and said subsidiary cylinder having a chamber in communication .With a source of luid under pressure, a valve to control the admission of fluid to said chamber to actuate said piston, its rod and the main valve, in one direction, means vto operate said piston-valve,to relieve pressure in said chamber .and permit actuation of said piston, its rod and main valve, in reverse di rection, and means to effect said reverse actuation.

11. The combination with a press having a main cylinder .and mainvalve, o'f a subsidiary cylinder having a piston and piston-rod connected operatively with said main valve, and channe 1 andthe main valve, in one direction, lmeans to operate said piston-valve to relieve pressure in said chamber and permit actuation of said piston, its rod and main valve in reed' to pass fluid' at times, saidA piston having also a valve to regulate 'pas'-V sage of fluid therethrough, and said subsidi-v said chamber to actuate said piston, its rod verse direction, and-means to effect said reverse actuation manually.

12. The combination With a vpress having a main cylinder and main valve, of a subsidiarycylinder having a piston and pistonrod connected operatively with said main valve, and channelled to pass fluid at times,

said piston having' also a valve tol regulate passage of fluid therethrough, and said subsidiary cylinder having a chamber in com- -munication with a source of fluid under pressure, a valve to control the admission of fluid to said chamberto actuate said piston, its rod and the main valve, in` one direction, means to operate saidpiston-valve to relieve pressure in said chamber and permit actuation of said piston, its rod and main valve, in reverse direction, andmeans to effect said reverse actuation, said means' being connected with said piston-valve to` effect relief of said chamber ypressure preliminary toasaid reverse actuation.

13. The combination with a press having a main cylinder and main valve, of a subsidiary cylinder having a piston, apistonrod and a chamber for fluid under pressure to operatev said piston, its rod and-said main valve in one direction, and an actuating member 4to operate said parts in reverse direction, tudinal channel to pass i'uid for the relief of pressure in said chamber, and a springvalve to control said relief, thestem of said spring-valve extending through said channel into position to be engaged and operated by said acutating member. p 14. In an apparatus of the 'class described, the combination With a press and a main valve for governing its-operation, of

piston and a chamber for fluid under p ressure to operate said piston in one direction, and means to effect reverse operation of said piston, said piston being channelled to pass' fluid for 'the relief of .pressure in said chamber, and having a piston-valve to control said relief. 15. In an apparatus ofthe class de- 5'0 scribed, the combination Withv a press andl a main valve for governing its operation, of means" for controlling the operation of 'the main valve including a' cylinder having a piston and a chamber for iuid under pressure to operate said piston in one direction, and means to effect reverse operation of said piston, said piston being channelled to pass fluid for the relief of pressure insaid chamber, and having a piston-valve operabl by said lever to control said relief. 16. The combination of a main fluidcontrol valve, timing mechanism, a subsidiary valve, means for operating both valves to bring them to one of their positions, means operatively dependable upon said piston-rody havingl a longi-h means for controlling rthe operation o f the main valve including a cylinder having a` the timing mechanism for operating the subsidiary valve to bring it to a second p0- sition ,and means operatively dependable upon the last mentioned operation of the subsidiary valve for moving the main valve to a second position.

17. In combination, a press, a main valve for governing the operation of the press, manual means for operating the main valve to close the press, automatic means for operating the manual means to open the press, including a subsidiary valve arranged to operate upon the main valve, and means for supplying fluid under pressure to the subsidiary valve at a predetermined time whereby the main valve may be operated to openthe press automatically.

18. In combination, a press, avmain valve for governing the operation of the press, manual vmeans for operating the main valve to close the press, automatic means for operating the 'manual means to open the press including a subsidiary valve arranged to operate'upon the main valve, means for supplying fluid under pressure to the sub-` sidiary valve at a'predetermingl time, and a relief valve for venting the fluid' under pressure from the subsidiary valve whereby the main valve may be operated to' open the press automatically.

19. In combination, a press, a main valve .for governing the operation of the press, l

manual means for operating the main valve to close the press, automatic means for operating the manual means to open the press including a subsidiary valve operatively'connected to the main valve,a time controlled trip, and means operable upon release of the trip to supply fluid under pressure to the subsidiary valve whereby the main valve may be actuated to open the press.

20. In combination, a press, a main valve for governing the loperation of the press, manual means for operating the main valve to close the press, automatic means for operating the manual means to open the press including -a subsidiaryV -valve operatively connected to the main valve, time controlled pneumatic means for governing the 11.5 operation of the subsidiary valve, and a valve for'dventing the subsidiary valve operable with the main valve and at the initiation of the latters operation.

21. vAn attachment forvulcanizing presses having platens and a valve for the operation. thereof, 'comprising' in combination'a subsidiary valve, a member coaxial With the main and subsidiary valves, means' for operating the member manually in one di-" rection, and time controlled pneumatic means for operating the 'member-"in the reverse direction. Y

' 22. n attachment for vulcanizing presses having platens and a valve for lthe operation thereof, comprising in combination a, Subsidia-ry valve, a' member coaxial with the main and subsidiary' valves, means for operating the member manually in one direction, time controlled pneumatic means for operating the member in the reverse direction, and a relief Valve for Venting fluid 

